Old Brewery Pale Ale, Samuel Smith's Old Brewery, Tadcaster, United Kingdom

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. -A. Einstein.

I think I need to take what Al says to heart. Time and Time again I was been disappointed by English Pale Ales. I keep hoping they will be fun and hoppy and crisp like their American brethren, and time after time I am disappointed. The English pales are often flat and unflavorful. The Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pale Ale made a valiant attempt to prove me wrong, but it too fell short. There was no hop flavoring, just a light mocha/hazelnut sweet taste. The Smith pulls down a 5% ABV. As far as English Pales go, I will take a page from Chief Joseph's book and 'I will fight no more forever'. The Sam Smith Old Brewery Pale Ale gets a 2.0.